Abuja:Senegalese President Bassirou Faye has called on the newly sworn-in justices of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to prioritize fairness, firmness, and impartiality in their duties. This appeal was made during the oath-taking ceremony of five new justices in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, President Faye, who also chairs the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, emphasized the importance of the oath in guiding the justices’ conduct throughout their four-year tenure. He stressed that justice must be delivered without succumbing to any pressure and highlighted the oath’s binding nature on both the justices and those present.
The ceremony highlighted the significant challenges facing the region, including political, economic, security, and environmental issues. Faye expressed the need for a shared commitment to the rule of law and described the Community Court as crucial in ensuring fairness and respect for legal instruments across ECOWAS member states.
Faye also urged the justices to modernize the Court’s operations to better address contemporary realities and to maintain the high standard of legal and ethical conduct expected of them. He stressed that the Court’s reputation relies on the quality of its decisions and the trust they inspire.
ECOWAS Commission President Gen. Birame Diop remarked that the swearing-in was more than a formality, marking a commitment to community law over personal interests. He noted the Court’s accessibility, allowing individuals to seek redress for rights violations, thereby embodying the concept of an ECOWAS for the people.
Diop mentioned ongoing efforts to establish an Appellate Chamber for the Court and called for stronger cooperation among ECOWAS bodies to enhance the regional justice system.
Justice Komba Kamanda, Chief Justice of Sierra Leone and President of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, emphasized the importance of implementing the Court’s decisions and maintaining dialogue between the Community Court and national jurisdictions. He urged the justices to uphold independence, impartiality, and integrity.
The five new justices, Désiré Aihou, Awa Bah, Charlyne Brumskine, Henrietta Didigu, and Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, were appointed by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in July 2026 and will serve a non-renewable four-year term. They succeed justices whose terms have concluded and are expected to elect a new President and Vice-President for an initial two-year term.